Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville says Newcastle are currently in a “better spot” than either Chelsea or Liverpool.

The Magpies thrashed Aston Villa 5-1 on the opening day of the season and, after watching Chelsea and Liverpool play out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Neville thinks Eddie Howe’s side are the best of the three teams:

“I actually looked at Newcastle last night in that 5.30 pm game last night and you look at these two teams here today [Liverpool and Chelsea] and you think, obviously they’ve got the Champions League to contend with, but they’re in a better spot currently. Currently, as we stand here now [they’re better] than these two teams and these two teams have spent an absolute shed load of money compared to Newcastle.”

Considering both Chelsea and Liverpool are going through squad rebuilds, things may change as the season progresses, but Neville is right on the money when he says Newcastle are playing better football at the moment.

There were a few question marks heading into the new season about whether Howe’s men could replicate their form which saw them finish fourth back in May, but the Villa performance clearly showed they will be in the mix for the top four/five once again.

Champions League football will be a test for Newcastle

Neville does make a good point about the Magpies’ involvement in European competition. They don’t have to worry about it this side of the international break but the period between late September and December will be a challenge.

At the moment, there are doubts about how the squad will cope with playing a game every few days. Howe seems to share those concerns, considering he has publicly spoken out that he wants another signing before the transfer window closes. Whether that will be a centre-back or left-back, we shall have to wait and see.